Two new Michael Shine accusers coming forward every week as advocacy group faces staffing crisis
- Dignity 4Patients
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Two new victims of paedophile doctor Michael Shine have been coming forward every week since the scoping exercise for the proposed Commission of Investigation into his sexual abuse was launched.
By John Kierans - 31/08/2026 - Drogheda Independent - [Ireland]
Two new victims of paedophile doctor Michael Shine have been coming forward every week since the scoping exercise for the proposed Commission of Investigation into his sexual abuse was launched. There are now a staggering 421 victims alleging they were abused by Shine.
Each case is being handled by the Dignity4Patients support group, which campaigned tirelessly to secure the establishment of the proposed Commission of Investigation.
However, Dignity4Patients says it does not have enough staff and is struggling to secure additional State funding.
More than two years ago, in 2024, the organisation submitted an urgent business case to the HSE seeking funding for an additional advocacy officer. The service currently has four staff members, all funded to work four days a week, from Monday to Thursday, with the helpline open between 10am and 4pm on those days.
The business case has since been resubmitted twice, including during the recent scoping exercise, but no additional staff member has been appointed.
Based on its current staffing levels and funding, Dignity4Patients fears it will struggle to continue supporting 421 victims and survivors of convicted sex offender Michael Shine through any future Commission of Investigation.
CEO Adrienne Reilly said victims and survivors met Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne and the party’s health spokesperson David Cullinane over the summer, with funding concerns being a key issue raised.
One victim, Gerard Murray, who was abused by Shine when he was four years old, told David Cullinane that victims cannot simply call in for support because staff are overwhelmed by new cases and the follow-on work arising from the scoping exercise.
“This is a key service that needs funding so victims can access support on the days they need it, not just through scheduled appointments,” he said.
Ms Reilly said that since the scoping exercise report was published in mid-July, a further 16 victims have come forward, bringing the total number of Shine victims registered with the service to 421. That represents more than two new victims every week.
In addition to work relating to the Commission of Investigation, the organisation is supporting 33 victims involved in ongoing civil proceedings and a further 25 victims engaged in Director of Public Prosecutions processes concerning criminal cases.
The organisation is also assisting the 16 newly identified victims through civil and criminal processes, directing them to counselling services and providing broader advocacy support.
Expressing concern about the strain on resources, Ms Reilly said: “This level of service delivery is unsustainable. Staff are exhausted and victims and survivors are currently not receiving the level of support they could be, or should be.
“This also limits the preparation work required ahead of meetings with health officials and the Attorney General regarding consultation on the terms of reference for the public inquiry.”
Dignity4Patients said it will seek an early meeting with the Minister for Health to address the immediate funding shortfall before progressing any further work.
The organisation said it has already been informed by CUAN, a Department of Justice-sponsored agency and one of its funders, that no additional funding will be available this year. As a result, it is relying on the Minister for Health and the HSE to provide an increase in funding.
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, support is available.
If you have previously used our service, we encourage you to get in touch again for support.
We also welcome contact from anyone who wishes to participate in an inquiry process, including individuals with relevant information, whether or not they are victims.
The Dignity4Patients helpline is open Monday to Thursday, from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Contact the team by phone on 041 984 3730 or text 086 165 4111.
